I wouldve thought that would be obvious
to you, Bob added, glaring angrily at him. He couldnt believe Damien
would have the nerve to show up in Mainframe after what hed done, let
alone with the Prime Guardian.

Its lovely to see you again, Ms Matrix.
Damien told her in a sincere tone  solely for the benefit of Turbo, but
favoured her with a cruel grin once the Prime Guardians back was turned.

Turbo, theres no way Im working
with him. Damiens wanted in this system on criminal charges. Bob
informed his past mentor, who was looking surprisingly unconvinced.

Should we take this to a conference room,
Ms Matrix? Turbo asked coolly.

Bob opened his mouth to protest letting Damien any
further into the Principal Office without arresting him, but Dot beat him to
it.

I cant let Damien any further into the
system. He is a threat to the citizens of Mainframe.

Until I know just what is going on, Ms Matrix,
Damien has done nothing wrong. Turbo snapped at her.

Bob we cant discuss this matter anymore
in such an informal setting.

Bob started to protest further but Dot stopped him
with a hand on his arm.

Follow me, she said quietly, also not
liking being out where anyone could overhear their conversation. As they all
began to walk Bob subconsciously placed one hand lightly on the small of Dots
back protectively, noting as he did so the smirks exchanged by the two Guardian
escorts he had know at the academy.

One thing Bob hadnt really thought about was
his relationship with Dot affecting his ability as the systems guardian
 from Turbos point of view anyway. Bob knew he would be able to
carry on defending Mainframe and its citizens, and that his friends provided
a stronger resistance with the strengthened bonds between each of them, rather
than a weakness. But convincing Turbo might be another issue.

Right now Bob was trying to work out a conceivable
explanation for Damiens presence here, and also Turbos defence of
him. They entered the room where Mouse, Matrix and the others were already seated.
As the visitors passed them, Dot sought out Bob eyes for a nano, the silent
question: Should I be letting this happen?, passing between them. Usually so
confident with commander duties, it was either Damien or the Prime Guardian
causing her resolve to falter. Or both, Bob concluded, squeezing her hand and
smiling warmly before they both took their seats.

Okay people, lets get to business now
were here, Turbos southern accent resounded through the smallish
room, equipped solely with a large table which they were seated round.

What can we do for you? Dot asked civilly.

As Ive said, I have an assignment for
the two of you, he continued, gesturing to Bob and Damien. Bob glanced
across the table and saw Mouse glaring at Turbo. If he was honest he was surprised
Mouse hadnt said anything to Turbo yet. An equally that he hadnt
to her as Mouse the infamous hacker was still not one of Turbos favourite
people, although after defeating Damien all charges against her for past crimes
were forgotten. I could also use your help, cadet. Turbo went on,
this time talking to Matrix, and surprising everyone by addressing him as cadet.

Its Matrix, he corrected him with
a scowl.

The collective needs information on the whereabouts
of a virus that is becoming a potential threat. Turbo explained, ignoring
the renegades comment.

What do you want us to do? AndrAIa piped
in, including herself in the equation as it involved Matrix.

It would mean a trip to his last known location,
which is in well its in the web.

Ya want ta send em inta the web again?
After what ya put this syatem through? Mouse exploded immediately, the
only one able to find words.

Mouse, that was an unfortunate solution to
the problem. But a solution non-the-less. Turbo answered coldly.

Why you little - Mouse jumped up and
lunged for him, unable to control her anger any longer. Thankfully Ray was quick
enough to hold her back.

I think we should go for a walk, love.
Ray suggested quietly, leading her from the room. Muttering several unrepeatable
phrases under her breath and pinning a death-glare on the Prime Guardian, she
left the room. Bob had to suppress a smile at her actions and glanced at his
girlfriend in the chair next to him to see whether she was in the same situation.
Her face was blank, staring at something on the desk in front of her. Bob reached
under the table to rest his hand atop hers, and then intertwined his fingers
with hers once she broke out of trance and looked at him.

So you want us because weve experienced
the web before? Bob asked, wondering when Turbo had become so cold and
seemingly uncaring all of a sudden.

It would shorten the investigation time if
experienced riders were on the team.

Does this virus have a name? Matrix asked,
his hatred for viruses showing clearly on his face.

Not that we know of. Information has turned
up several names so far.

How do you know its the same virus?
Bob asked the obvious, noting with concern that Dot was now staring at him,
looking pale and glassy-eyed.

Descriptions and a mark left behind at each
location.

Why is he needed? Bob asked, referring
to Damien and catching a smirk sent his way.

To cover as guardian of this system while youre
away, and also act as liaison between you, the collective and Mainframe.
Turbo informed them all. Bob glanced straight at Dot then as he saw her look
decidedly ill.

Im sorry, excuse me. She blurted
out all of a sudden, getting up in a rush and leaving the room. Since the beginning
of the awful meeting shed been feeling increasingly claustrophobic 
worse than that  trapped. Her head continued to spin as she practically
ran through the corridors, nothing but panic filling her senses.

She stopped, trying to calm down. Dot stood facing
the wall, gently resting her forehead against the cool surface. Closing her
eyes, she tried to mentally force the feelings away, the lack of control over
them scaring her more. In the back of her mind she vaguely registered the sound
of hurried footsteps approaching from behind, but wasnt aware of Bob coming
after her until she felt comforting hands on her shoulders, gently turning her
round.

I cant do this Bob! Its going to
happen all over again! Youre going to -

Stopping her frenzied panic the only way he knew
how, he kissed her until she reciprocated, then pulled her into a hug.

Following Bob a few millis later, Guardian Raspen
 Ras to those who knew him, caught the scene which confirmed
what hed expected since he first saw the two together.

Itll be okay. Theres no way Im
going to leave the system with Damien in charge. I wont leave - I promised,
remember? Bob was saying in a hushed voice, right up close to her as she
stood with her back against the wall. He had placed one hand on her hip and
one on her arm, having just pulled back from a hug. Ill go talk
to Turbo about this and then we could get out of here for a while.

I cant not be there, Bob. This affects
the system and I have to know whats going on. Dot replied, saying
it quietly but her voice held confidence. Ras watched as Bob moved the hand
on her arm to the side of her head, closing the distance between them as he
enveloped her in a tight embrace.

Matrix and I can take care of it for you. You
shouldnt have to go through seeing that guy again until we get some answers
-

Ras was surprised when he saw the Command.com suddenly
look up at Bob, anger flashing visibly in her eyes.

Im not scared of him! This is my system
and that man is a threat to -

Okay, okay, Im sorry. I didnt mean
you were afraid to face him. I just dont like that you had to run into
him again.

Well lets do our best to get him out
of the system as quickly as possible then shall we? Dot smiled decisively.

Youre too stubborn for your own good,
babe. Bob grinned back, brushing his lips across hers in a quick kiss
before taking her hand and leading her back towards the conference room.

By this time, Ras was heading back already, having
had his suspicion confirmed he didnt want them to know he had been there.
This information would suffice to be very useful, and would improve his reputation
with Turbo no end.

The two got back to the meeting room just as everyone
seemed to be leaving. Matrix approached them as Turbo, Damien and the others
left in the opposite direction.

Are you okay, sis? Matrix asked, a note
of uncharacteristic tenderness in his voice.

Yeah, Im fine, Enzo. Whats going
on?

Turbo said hed give us til next
cycle to talk it over. Nice of him to give us such a long time. He told
them sarcastically.

Talk it over? After coming to Mainframe to
discuss this, that seems odd. Bob thought aloud.

Maybe its not an urgent matter.
Dot suggested, looking up at him.

Maybe. Bob agreed, smiling at her.

Have you seen Mouse or Ray? I think we should
have another meeting  just us. Dot told them, looking for their
agreements.

I havent seen either of them. Matrix
replied.

Can we have this meeting at the diner?
Bob grinned, realising how late in the afternoon it was.

How about we meet there in 2 micros? Could
you find Mouse and Ray, Enzo? Dot explained, then continued, Ill
have to see what Turbo intends to do about accommodation tonight.

Dot, shouldnt we do something about Damien?
Bob asked carefully, aware that Matrix nor anyone else knew what he was responsible
for.

Oh, Turbo said to tell you that hell
vouch for Damien in this system and its non-negotiable. Matrix told them.
Is there a reason he needs to be vouched for?

Ill sort it out. See you in two micros.
Dot replied, deliberately avoiding giving a straight answer, and walking away
in the direction they had left.

Bob, whats going on?

I would tell you, Matrix, but I better go help
your sister. Turbo can be difficult. Stay frosty! And with that
he took off after Dot, leaving Matrix standing with a suspicious feeling something
bad was going on. His gold eye rotated and the M glowed red as he placed his
hand on Gun.

Hey Dot! Wait up!

She spun round, only just realising she was being
followed. Too little sleep and too much caffeine, Dot berated herself.

Sorry Bob. I thought you stayed with Enzo.

I didnt want you running into Damien,
Bob confessed, looping an arm round her waist as they walked.

I can look after myself, Guardian. She
replied seriously, but smiled and added; Thank you.

Hey, Im in the hero business what can
I say? He replied, receiving a light hearted thump on the chest for his
efforts. You sure youre okay?

Im fine! People keep acting like Im
going to break or delete or something!

Dot, dont shut me out. It is okay to
be upset, you know. Bob told her softly, pulling on her arm to stop her
walking and face him.

I just freaked out a bit before, Im fine
now. I promise. Dot told him solemnly, and then hugged him.

Two micros is more than enough time to sort
Turbo out. How about we go to your office - Bob said suggestively, a predatory
grin adorning his face.

Bob! Youre terrible! She laughed
as he swept her back in his arms and trapped her against the wall. What
if someone comes along here?

Enough worrying, gorgeous, Bob silenced
her qualms with a kiss, becoming more heated.

The voices were more audible further along the corridor,
and they both caught the conversation going on inside before either of them
had the chance to knock.

That went well boss. I think this will go work.

The voice was Damiens; Bob realised immediately,
and mouthed it to Dot, who nodded. Boss? she mouthed back, unsure
if that was the usual address for the Prime Guardian. Bob shrugged his shoulders
and listened for Turbos reply to the strange statement. It never came.

The voice that answered was distinctly familiar but
didnt belong to the Prime Guardian. A distinctly sinister British-accented
voice. Distinctly viral.